Although the Cambridge libraries are among some of the greatest within the world and some of the university's more precious resources, they frequently do not provide the levels of service which students should be able to expect. CUSU is therefore campaigning for three main changes: access, opening hours and charges.
Access:
It goes without saying that all students should be able to access the libraries within Cambridge. However, disabled access is still lagging in the libraries of many faculties and colleges, especially those which occupy older buildings. It is easy to forget that simply reaching up to a top a bookcase for a book almost impossible for those who use wheel-chairs and libraries should accommodate for this.
Opening Hours:
Library hours in Cambridge can vary from 9-4 with an hour off for lunch to 24/7 opening. CUSU is campaigning to increase library opening hours to reflect the busy and pressured lives of the students. In many respects, science faculties and colleges are leading the way, issuing swipe cards to students to allow secure un-invigilated opening. However, many arts faculties are still far behind, sometimes offering less than 7 hour's access a day. Weekend borrowing also fits into this heading. Students are not expected to stop work on Saturdays and Sundays, yet many libraries do. CUSU is therefore campaigning to encourage the university to use money from its fundraising campaigns to extend opening hours.
Library Charges and Costs:
CUSU believes that students should not be discriminated against because of their chosen course of study. However, the variation in library fines and photocopying costs within the university makes this a reality. CUSU therefore believes that no faculty should charge more than the average for photocopying (currently 5p a sheet) and that library fines should be lowered to a reasonable amount. In some libraries, fines and charges as used to cover holes in library budgets. This is shameful profiteering which should be eliminated.
In March 2005, a database of photocopying charges was compiled which showed a variation of over 650% between the cheapest and most expensive photocopying facilities.